Reviving a Legend: The Restoration of a Ferrari 250 GTO

This has been the best kept secret in the car world for many years. In 2021 we purchased #3589 GT and embarked on what we hoped would be the ‘reference’ restoration for other GTOs to compare to in the future.

This is no normal GTO (if there is such a thing?!), this was an incredibly successful car in period, not just winning many races but breaking many lap records along the way. It was also finished from new in a unique specification for Tommy Sopwith’s Equipe Endeavour team, a Dark Blue over Rosso Connolly VM 893 leather and cloth seats.

It’s one of the very few examples that can boast its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox, only a handful of owners throughout its life and no accident to speak of.

However, the original body was removed from the chassis in a restoration carried out by it’s previous custodian nearly 35 years ago but thankfully remained with the car, on a mannequin in that owner’s garage and where we purchased both from. Upon completion of our purchase, there was no hesitation but to reunite the chassis with its original body and there was only place to do that and that is back at Ferrari!

In this video, we share with you the process, the lengths we went to in order to ensure the restoration is perfection and importantly totally period correct. You will see footage of us in Ferrari’s incredible archive room, where we benefitted from the original drawings, original correspondence plus we even matched the paint to the original paint sample that they still have within the chassis file.

Reuniting the chassis with its original body was no small task. With a body so old and removed from the chassis for so long, it’s fragile and could easily be damaged if mishandled. Ferrari and ourselves mutually agreed on our friends Brandoli to undertake such a task and bravo to them for completing it with such care and precision.

Collaborating with Ferrari has been a lot of fun. We had the privilege of Piero Ferrari inspecting the restoration with Tom and we have no doubt it’s a restoration that would have also impressed Il Commendatore Enzo Ferrari himself.

It’s been a real push from all involved to get this car ready for this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance but we’re pleased to announce it will be there next week and we hope it will wow the judges as much as it has us!

[MrRonan]

For anyone with the slightest bit of
petrol in their veins this has to be one of the best video’s about a car
that has ever been on youtube.
Well done Mr Hartley for now owning one of the best cars in the world and having a team that got this car to perfection,

[paolo]

This is not just a restoration, this is a love letter to Ferrari history...God bless you Tom.

[RaceDayReplay]

this car just won Best in Class for Late model Ferraris at Pebble Beach. Congrats!!!

[wombatsyoutube]

This is artwork on another level Tom. I'm 54 years old, the first car I 'bought' was a red die cast 250 GTO Burago 1/18 model when i was around 7 and admired it every day. I've been fortunate enough to be involved in restoration, on some quite rare and exotic examples, but to see this one leave the factory took me back to the dream and passion I had as that small boy!

[EverythingAutomotive]

No one has put together a Classiche presentation like this for these type of cars for the potential customers. Outstanding!

[acskls]

Just when you think you've seen every special Ferrari on this channel you show us this ! Thanks for sharing this fabulous story on this very special Ferrari. Keep up the good work. Andy.

[ZondaF]

The MAGIC of Ferrari is impossible to explain with mere words. This presentation is as close to truly revealing that magic that those of us who feel it understand at a cellular level. You could feel the spark while watching and seeing Tom, a man who truly understands and lives this magic for all that cannot. Seeing him take the keys at the factory and drive out of the gates of Maranello like it was 1962 is simply a majestic sight to behold. I am proud to follow and support someone like Tom, who follows his heart and has reverence for the past and celebrates the like-minded men for whom we should all look up to. This is why some of us eat and breath cars. If an award existed similar to the Oscars but for the automotive sector this story would receive gold statue to all involved. From the man with the knowledge and passion to commission such fine mechanical artwork to the artisans who made it a reality. This is why we get consumed by this subject and what a subject to be consumed by!

[nunolopes]

This is artwork Tom! I am glad the world has a person like you, truly passionate about cars....proper cars! Thank you for what you do in the car world and car enthusiasts, those are the only words I have to say!

[j.m.]

This is nothing but spectacular. Gives me goosebumps. A truly masterpiece.

[makalu]

Blown away - thanks for recording this Tom. You have done the motoring world a great service!

[roytrevisan]

The amount of work and craftsmanship required is staggering and the importance has left me.. misty. I am moved and thankful to watch this video. Than you so much!! Forza Italia.

[darrenhemming]

Just WoW, I am 1 year younger than this beautiful time piece being born in April of 63. Watching this had a tear in my eye several times, but seeing your face at the end receiving the key was the best part. Congratulations to you mate, all the way from the colonies down under.

[Halfwaythere_]

When car the rolling from the factory I got goosebump and teary eyes. I don't even have the car but my heart is filled with joy seeing the car going through such an amazing restoration

[andydayes]

So impressive, Tom. The work done by the likes of you, Simon Kidston, Paul Russell and others to preserve and restore cars faithfully to their original specification and with the original materials and, where possible, craftsman is such an inspiration. Let's not kid ourselves: there's obviously big money involved in the ultimate sale of these cars, but equally there's a genuine passion to ensure that the job is done as well as it can be so future generations can enjoy these classic cars as much as people did when they were new. Maybe more because now we appreciate their greatness with the passage of time.

[charleswhitfield]

Massive respect to the new owner - he’s obviously an enthusiast not just a collector. Having restored a thing or two it’s critical to have an investment of heart as well as $!

[soyounoat]

Countless people have imagined through the lens of time how it would feel to take ownership of a new 250 GTO from the factory, knowing them as we see them now. This is essentially what has happened here. That first drive must have been like a surreal dream come true. Fantastic!

[neilrwoods]

I’m not ashamed to admit, this gave me goose bumps and a tear in my eye . My first die cast model was a 250 GTO, it’s a unicorn that only a select few can afford ( but the prod is great full you can ) whilst us mere mortals can only dream to touch. Huge respect to those involved bringing this beauty back to its former glory and to the custodians……. Just enjoy 👏👏

[wareidav]

What an absolute treat to see the transformation of a true beauty into a thing of incredible elegance style power and desirability. Tom and the guys at Ferrari should be so very very proud of what they have given back to the world.

[bobk]

Mic dropped…my goodness, that blue is mesmerizing. What an engine note, pure symphony!

[dapro]

The most beautiful car ever made period.